“Buckwheat”
The High Flying Quarter Horse
TUSTIN – April 11, 1995 will remain a day in the life of Ken and Linda Sisco like no other. Pebbles, the family pony began whinnying incessantly, her urgency called out more than the usual “come feed me!” As Ken approached the corral his heart skipped a beat when he found Pebbles frantically pacing while Buckwheat, her 21 year old quarter horse companion, was nowhere in sight.
From a second story window of their Cowan Heights home, Ken Sisco found his aging mare lying on her back with legs up in a snarl of manzanita brush. It appeared that Buckwheat had unfortunately rolled under her corral fencing and slid 80 feet down the steep embankment. While under most circumstances a slip of this nature might have caused more serious injuries, the lush green grass cushioned Buckwheat’s fall. With her head in a bush, lying upside down, Buckwheat nibbled grass as she patiently awaited help to arrive.
911 Emergency Services
Orange County Fire Authority dispatched local Station 43 to aid in Buckwheat’s mishap. Lead by Captain Greg Boothe, two fire engines, nine firefighters and eleven county animal control officers began the grueling four hour rescue. The situation soon became evident that Buckwheat was in no condition to stand on her own.
Helicopter Lifts Animal to Safety
Captain Dan Young, spokesperson for Orange County Fire Authority said there was no questioning the scenario at hand. Captain Boothe’s expertise made it clear there was no other possible means to bring the horse upright without the assistance of air power.
Pilot Andy Campbell has thousand of flight hours to his credit. However this would prove to be one of his more unusual flights, as this was his first horse rescue! With authorizations received, Andy lifted off from Fullerton Municipal Airport for what was soon to be Orange County’s inaugural large animal rescue.
Dr. Richard Evans, the county’s chief veterinarian along with Dr. Julie Ryan assisted firefighters on the scene as Buckwheat was sedated and tucked firmly into the helicopters cargo net. Elevation 1000 Ft… Buckwheat was in for the ride of her life!
Remaining calm while in flight, Buckwheat occasionally lifted her head to see what was going on reported Campbell. She safely touched down in a dusty field behind the Tustin fire station. With gentle tugs of encouragement from animal control officers, firefighters and her veterinarian, Buckwheat was able to take those first steps of freedom following her most strenuous ordeal.
Spokesman Dan Young said the rescue, free of charge to the Siscos, was the first of its kind for the county, which got its helicopter after the 1993 Laguna Beach firestorm. “No one has the resources to fly this horse out, but we do and were glad to get it done,” he said.
Buckwheat’s story was originally given account April 12, 1995 in the Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition by staff writer Lee Romney and Glenn Koenig photographer.